Babu Jagjivan Ram Jayanti would be celebrated on April 5 on a grand scale, announced Deputy Commissioner N. Jayaram.
The assurance was given to the agitating members of the Madiga Meesalathi Horata Samithi, who took out a procession and later submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner on Tuesday. One of their major demands was in support of their various demands, including celebration of the birth anniversary of the former Deputy Prime Minister Babu Jagjivan Ram.
The samithi, which was unhappy with the meagre Rs.25,000 sanctioned for the event, demanded more funds for the celebrations. They had recently requested the Deputy Commissioner to seek more funds from the government, but their request was allegedly turned down.
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Samithi president Rajendra Anneppa Ihole, who led the protest, said the samithi would organise separate function with the contribution of the community members to mark the day. None of the elected representatives or government officials would be invited for the event.
The samithi members also urged the Deputy Commissioner to provide permanent housing facilities to pourkarmikas serving under Belagavi City Corporation. They also alleged that BCC had failed to contribute its share of nearly Rs.7 crore to the workers’ accounts.